City Projects
Buzbee Inc on a Spending Spree
The Daily News
Published January 31, 2007
Land grab: Look for the old Sonic Drive-In on Friendswood Drive to come tumbling down. Buzbee Properties Inc. acquired the Sonic and also the property next to it, Robert’s Auto Parts, 304 S. Friendswood Drive, with plans to develop a medical center.
Buzbee Properties has been on a Friendswood real estate buying spree. All the activity could bring a new look to the old part of Friendswood.
Late last year, BPI purchased and demolished an old pawnshop at 509 S. Friendswood Drive, with intentions to develop a four-story building. BPI will sell and lease high-end lofts on the third and fourth floors. BPI is in talks with Hometown Bank about including a second Friendswood location in the development.
Coffee talk: Meanwhile, BPI also purchased the old Texaco station, 301 S. Friendswood Drive, across from the McDonald’s Restaurant. BPI demolished the gas station and has acquired three lots directly behind the property.
Local attorney Tony Buzbee, whose wife, Zoe, is CEO of BPI, said he’s in talks with Starbucks and other coffee chains interested in the property.
Making the rounds: Finally, BPI plans to update and remodel the Edgerton Clinic also on Friendswood Drive. The 10,000-square-foot building on 1.5 acres is fully leased.
BPI is looking at more properties on Friendswood Drive, Tony Buzbee said.
BPI owns and manages more than 50 commercial and residential properties in Galveston County.
Old Friendswood to Get a New Look
By Laura Elder
The Daily News
Published December 4, 2006
Busy as a Buzbee: Look for new developments in the old part of Friendswood. The pawnshop across from the historical Friends Church will soon be razed to make way for a 100,000-square-foot, mixed-use center.
Buzbee Properties Inc. has acquired a 2.5-acre parcel of land directly across from the 502 S. Friendswood Drive church. If city officials approve plans, BPI will develop a four-story building and will sell or lease high-end lofts on the third and fourth floors.
BPI intends for the first and second floors to be used as office space. Developers also hope to lease space to a coffee shop.
Texa-go: Meanwhile, BPI has purchased the old Texaco station across from the McDonald’s Restaurant on Friendswood Drive. The company plans to convert that property into a professional/commercial space after crews remove the underground tanks. That work is in progress.
Medical makeover: Finally, BPI intends to fully renovate the old Edgerton Clinic, again on Friendswood Drive. The 10,000-square foot clinic, on 1.65 acres, is fully leased.
BPI owns and manages more than 50 commercial and residential properties in Galveston County.
Zoe Buzbee is Buzbee Properties’ president. Most know her husband, Tony Buzbee, is a well-known island attorney and former Democratic Party chairman for Galveston County.
